Heavy rain, hailstorm damage crops; disrupt life in Himachal

Heavy rain coupled with hailstorm and fierce winds disrupted life and destroyed crops in many villages of the district on Sunday. Sudden strong winds started at around 2pm followed by heavy rain and hailstorm and continued till evening.

Sources said the intensity of the hailstorm was so severe that it rooted out trees, plants, destroying apple produce and standing crop. However, no loss of life and property was reported till filing of the report. The administration has issued an alert.

CROPS DAMAGEDHamirpur: Farmers were taken aback when high-velocity winds followed by heavy rains lashed various parts of the district on Sunday evening. Though the sky was clear till after noon, it started raining in the evening and dashed hopes of the farmers who were busy in harvesting of wheat crop.

Many parts of the district were also hit by hailstor ms, causing damage to fruit crops, including mangoes and citrus fruits. Sources said: “Wheat crops lay flat in the fields. Farmers are praying so that they can harvest their crops.”